German word

Ortskern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɔɐ̯tsˌkɛɐ̯n/

Meaning

  • masculine nountown centre

Example

Im Ortskern gibt es viele Cafés.

There are many cafés in the town centre.

Illustration for Ortskern (town centre)

More examples

Viele Veranstaltungen finden diesen Sommer im Ortskern statt.

Many events are taking place in the town centre this summer.

Core concept

The active central patch of a town or village, gathered around its everyday services and public spaces.

Common phrases

  • im Ortskern

    in the town centre

  • die Restaurierung des Ortskerns

    the restoration of the town centre

  • Fußgängerzone im Ortskern

    pedestrian zone in the town centre

Similar words

Zentrum: The main center of a city or town, where commerce and administration are concentrated.
Ortsmitte: The central part of a settlement where residents carry out daily activities.
Dorfkern: The historic center of a village, where community life and events take place.
Marktplatz: A central town square used for trading and public gatherings.

Definition in German

Ortskern bezeichnet den zentralen Bereich einer Stadt oder eines Dorfes, in dem sich meist Geschäfte, Behörden und Plätze konzentrieren.

Word origin

The compound Ortskern combines the inherited German words Ort and Kern, whose meanings together specify the central part of a locality.

Usage tips

  • Unlike Innenstadt, Ortskern also naturally describes the center of a village, not only an urban town center.

Opposites

  • Peripherieperipherynoun

Related words

  • Ortskernsanierungtown-centre redevelopmentnoun
  • Ortskerngebiettown-centre areanoun

Word lists with this word